Radiation detection apparatus having an analyzer within a housing

ABSTRACT

A radiation detection apparatus can include a scintillator to emit scintillating light in response to absorbing radiation; a photosensor to generate an electronic pulse in response to receiving the scintillating light; an analyzer to determine a characteristic of the radiation; and a housing that contains the scintillator, the photosensor, and the analyzer, wherein the radiation detection apparatus to is configured to allow functionality be changed without removing the analyzer from the housing. The radiation detection apparatus can be more compact and more rugged as compared to radiation detection apparatuses that include a photomultiplier tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/576,623, entitled “RADIATION DETECTIONAPPARATUS HAVING AN ANALYZER WITHIN A HOUSING,” by John M. Frank et al.,filed Oct. 24, 2017, which is assigned to the current assignee hereofand is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to radiation detection apparatuseshaving analyzers within housings.

RELATED ART

A radiation detection apparatus can include a sealed housing havingcomponents therein. The functions that the radiation detection apparatuscan performed may be determined by the components. To change thefunctionality, the housing may be opened and components replaced.Opening the housing may be difficult as the housing may be sealed or maybe difficult to access (e.g., in a well hole or located deep withincomplicated equipment). Further improvements in radiation detectionapparatuses are desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and are not limited in theaccompanying figures.

FIG. 1 includes an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a radiationdetection apparatus in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 includes an illustration of a bottom surface of an interfaceboard as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 includes an illustration of a top surface of the interface boardas illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 includes an illustration of a side view of the radiationdetection apparatus of FIG. 1 and an external connector coupled to theapparatus.

FIG. 5 includes an illustration of a perspective cutaway view of aportion of the apparatus of FIG. 1

FIG. 6 includes an illustration of a perspective view of portions of awiring board and an interface board of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 includes an illustration of perspective view of different lidsthat can be used with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 8 and 9 include illustrations of top and bottom views,respectively, of one of the lids in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 includes an illustration of the lid in FIGS. 8 and 9 and anelectrical connector and an O-ring.

FIG. 11 includes a depiction of a control module that can be used in theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 includes a flow diagram of a method of using the apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 13 includes illustrations of side view of radiation detectionapparatuses to show length differences between the apparatuses.

Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustratedfor simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures maybe exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improveunderstanding of embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description in combination with the figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The followingdiscussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of theteachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachingsand should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope orapplicability of the teachings. However, other embodiments can be usedbased on the teachings as disclosed in this application.

The term “compound semiconductor” is intended to mean a semiconductormaterial that includes at least two different elements. Examples includeSiC, SiGe, GaN, InP, Al_(x)Ga_((1-x))N where 0≤x<1, CdTe, and the like.A III-V semiconductor material is intended to mean a semiconductormaterial that includes at least one trivalent metal element and at leastone Group 15 element. A III-N semiconductor material is intended to meana semiconductor material that includes at least one trivalent metalelement and nitrogen. A Group 13-Group 15 semiconductor material isintended to mean a semiconductor material that includes at least oneGroup 13 element and at least one Group 15 element. A II-VIsemiconductor material is intended to mean a semiconductor material thatincludes at least one divalent metal element and at least one Group 16element.

The term “avalanche photodiode” refers to a single photodiode having alight-receiving area of least 1 mm² and is operated in a proportionalmode.

The term “SiPM” is intended to mean a photomultiplier that includes aplurality of photodiodes, wherein each of the photodiodes have a cellsize less than 1 mm², and the photodiodes are operated in Geiger mode.The semiconductor material for the diodes in the SiPM can includesilicon, a compound semiconductor, or another semiconductor material.

The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,”“having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method, article, or apparatusthat comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only tothose features but may include other features not expressly listed orinherent to such method, article, or apparatus. Further, unlessexpressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive-or and notto an exclusive-or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or notpresent), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), andboth A and B are true (or present).

Also, the use of “a” or “an” is employed to describe elements andcomponents described herein. This is done merely for convenience and togive a general sense of the scope of the invention. This descriptionshould be read to include one, at least one, or the singular as alsoincluding the plural, or vice versa, unless it is clear that it is meantotherwise. For example, when a single item is described herein, morethan one item may be used in place of a single item. Similarly, wheremore than one item is described herein, a single item may be substitutedfor that more than one item.

The use of the word “about”, “approximately”, or “substantially” isintended to mean that a value of a parameter is close to a stated valueor position. However, minor differences may prevent the values orpositions from being exactly as stated. Thus, differences of up to tenpercent (10%) (and up to twenty percent (20%) for semiconductor dopingconcentrations) for the value are reasonable differences from the idealgoal of exactly as described.

Group numbers corresponding to columns within the Periodic Table ofElements based on the IUPAC Periodic Table of Elements, version datedNov. 28, 2016.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, andexamples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. To theextent not described herein, many details regarding specific materialsand processing acts are conventional and may be found in textbooks andother sources within the scintillation, radiation detection and rangingarts.

A radiation detection apparatus can be configured such that thefunctionality of the apparatus can be changed without having to removean analyzer from a housing in which the analyzer is contained. Thefunctionality can be changed by activating or deactivating a functionincluding counting radiation events, discriminating between differenttypes of radiation (e.g., discriminating between gamma radiation andneutrons), identification of an isotope corresponding to the radiation,provide gain compensation for the photosensor, provide informationregarding adjustment for light output of the scintillator as a functionof temperature, another suitable function, or any combination thereof.

In an aspect, the radiation detection apparatus can include ascintillator to emit scintillating light in response to absorbingradiation; a photosensor to generate an electronic pulse in response toreceiving the scintillating light; an analyzer to determine acharacteristic of the radiation; and a housing that contains thescintillator, the photosensor, and the analyzer, wherein the radiationdetection apparatus to is configured to allow functionality be changedwithout removing the analyzer from the housing.

In an embodiment, the radiation detection apparatus can further includean interface board coupled to the photosensor and the analyzer. Inanother embodiment, the photosensor can include a semiconductor-basedphotomultiplier. As compared to a radiation detection apparatus with aPMT, a radiation detection apparatus with the semiconductor-basedphotomultiplier can be made more compact and is more rugged. Thesemiconductor-based photomultiplier allows power to be provided by acable connected to the radiation detection apparatus, and the interfaceboard can provide sufficient power to operate the semiconductor-basedphotomultiplier. Attention is directed to the figures and non-limitingembodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a radiation detection apparatus 100.The radiation detection apparatus 100 can be a medical imagingapparatus, a well logging apparatus, a security inspection apparatus,for military applications, or the like. The radiation detectionapparatus 100 includes a housing 110 that includes components therein.The housing may be removably sealed or hermetically sealed. In aparticular embodiment, the housing 110 can be sealed in accordance withIP Code rating of IP67, wherein the IP Code is InternationalElectrotechnical Commission standard 60529, Edition 2.2 (2013).

The housing 110 contains a scintillator 120 that can include a materialthat emits scintillating light in response to absorbing radiation, suchas gamma rays, ionized particles, or the like. An exemplary non-limitingmaterial for the scintillator 120 includes an alkali halide, a rareearth halide, an elpasolite, a rare-earth containing silicate,perovskite oxide, or the like. When the housing 110 is sealed, materialsthat are hygroscopic or adversely interact with ambient conditionsadjacent to the housing 110 can be protected. The scintillator 120 issurrounded by a reflector 132. The reflector 132 can laterally surroundthe scintillator 120 or may surround the scintillator on all sidesexcept for a side that faces a photosensor 152. The reflector 132 caninclude specular reflector, a diffuse reflector, or both. One or moreresilient members can help to keep the scintillator 120 in place withinthe housing 110. In the embodiment as illustrated, an elastomericmaterial 134 can surround the reflector 132, and a spring 136 may bedisposed between the scintillator 120 and the housing 110. Although notillustrated, a plate may be used between the spring 136 and thescintillator 120 to distribute more uniformly pressure along the surfaceof the scintillator 120.

A semiconductor-based photomultiplier can be optically coupled to thescintillator 120 via an optical coupler 140. The optical coupler 140 cancreate a seal with the housing 110 to isolate the scintillator 120. Thesemiconductor-based photomultiplier can include a SiPM or an avalanchephotodiode. In one embodiment, the semiconductor-based photomultipliercan include one or more SiPMs 152. In one embodiment, the number ofSiPMs can be changed without breaking the seal created to isolate thescintillator. In one embodiment, the number of SiPMs can increase. Inanother embodiment, the number of SiPMs can decrease. Thus, thefunctionality of the radiation detection apparatus can also be changedwithout breaking the seal. As seen in the embodiment as illustrated,SiPMs 152 can be mounted on a printed wiring board 154. In oneembodiment, the SiPMs 152 can be between the printed wiring board 154and the optical coupler 140. In one embodiment, the optical coupler 140can be silica. In another embodiment, the SiPMs 152 can be coupled tothe optical coupler 140 using an epoxy or rubber silicone. An electronicpulse from the SiPMs 152 can be routed through the printed wiring board154 and electrical connectors 162 to an interface board 172. Theelectrical connectors 162 can be wires (illustrated), solder balls, orthe like.

The interface board 172 can include electronic components 174, 176, and178. FIG. 2 includes a view of the bottom surface of the interface board172 that further includes additional electronic components 272, 274,276, and 278 and a charge storage element 210, such as a battery, acapacitor, or the like. One of the electronic components can include auniversal asynchronous receiver/transmitter. The functions of theelectronic components are described with respect to a control module asillustrated in FIG. 11 and are addressed later in this specification. Inanother embodiment, some or all of the components illustrated on thebottom side of the interface board may be on the top side of theinterface board 172.

FIG. 3 includes a view of the top surface of the interface board 172.Electrical connectors 362 can extend through a lid 180 and into aconnector section 190 that is configured to receive an externalconnector. The number and arrangement of connectors 362 and design ofthe connector section 190 can depend on the type of external connectorused.

FIG. 4 includes a side view of the radiation detector apparatus 100 andan external connector 490 connected to the radiation apparatus. In theembodiment as illustrated, the connector 490 can include a sealing boot492 and a cable 494. The configuration allows for an IP67 sealing of theradiation detection apparatus 100 to the external connector 490.

FIGS. 5 to 7 include further illustrations of portions of the radiationdetection apparatus 100. FIG. 5 includes a perspective cutaway view of aportion of the radiation detection apparatus. FIG. 5 includes the all ofthe features as illustrated in FIG. 1 except the scintillator 120, thereflector 132, resilient members, and optical coupler 140 are removed.FIG. 6 illustrates the printed wiring board 154 and interface board 172separated from each other. Four SiPMs are illustrated, although inanother embodiment, more or fewer SiPMs may be used. Electroniccomponents on the interface board 172 are illustrated but notindividually labeled with reference numbers. FIG. 7 includes perspectiveviews of lids 782, 784, and 786. The lid 782 has two external connectors792, one of which is a coaxial cable connector and the other is a miniUniversal Serial Bus connector. In another embodiment, more or differentconnectors can be used. If needed or desired surface mount technologymay be used for a connection. The external connector can provide powerto the radiation detection apparatus 100, and at least some of the powercan be transmitted via the interface board 172 to power the photosensor,such as the semiconductor-based photomultiplier, and even moreparticularly the SiPMs 152. The radiation detection apparatus 100 caninclude modular components such as the SiPMs 152 on the carrier board154, the interface board 172, and the lid.

FIGS. 8 to 10 include illustrations regarding the lid 784. FIG. 8includes a top view, and FIG. 9 includes a bottom view. FIG. 10illustrates the lid 784, a connector 1090 that can be used with the lid784, and an O-ring 1080 that can be used to help seal the lid 784 to thehousing 110 (not illustrated in FIG. 10).

The electronic components on the interface board 172 can be configuredto act as a control module 1100 as illustrated in FIG. 11. Thesemiconductor-based photomultiplier is coupled to an amplifier 1102within the control module 1100. In an embodiment, the amplifier 1102 canbe a high fidelity amplifier. The amplifier 1102 can amplify theelectronic pulse, and the amplified electronic pulse can be converted toa digital signal at an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) 1104 that canbe received by the processor 1122. The processor 1122 can be coupled toa programmable/re-programmable processing module (“PRPM”), such as afield programmable gate array (“FPGA”) 1124 or application-specificintegrated circuit (“ASIC”), a memory 1126, and an input/output (“I/O”)module 1142. The couplings may be unidirectional or bidirectional. Inanother embodiment, more, fewer, or different components can be used inthe control module 1100. For example, functions provided by the FPGA1124 may be performed by the processor 1122, and thus, the FPGA 1124 isnot required. The FPGA 1124 can act on information faster than theprocessor 1122.

The control module 1100 can include an analyzer and perform one or moredifferent functions. The function can include counting radiation events,discriminating between different types of radiation, identification ofan isotope corresponding to the radiation, provide gain compensation forthe photosensor, provide information regarding adjustment for lightoutput of the scintillator as a function of temperature, performinganother suitable function, or any combination thereof. The analyzer maybe a multichannel analyzer. The analyzer may include the processor 1122,the FPGA 1124, or a combination thereof. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 11,the interface board 172 couples the photosensor, such as the SiPMs 152,and the analyzer to each other. In one embodiment, the interface board172 is removable coupled to the wiring board 154.

FIG. 12 includes a flow chart for using the radiation detectionapparatus 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The method isdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 11. If an external connectorhas not been connected to the radiation detection apparatus 100, anexternal connector can be connected to the radiation detection apparatus100 before performing the remainder of the method as described below.

A radiation source can be placed near the radiation detection apparatus100. Radiation from the radiation source can be absorbed by thescintillator 120. The method can include emitting scintillating layerfrom the scintillator 120, at block 1210. The scintillating light can beemitted in response to absorbing the radiation. The scintillating lightcan be received by the semiconductor-based photomultiplier that cangenerate an electronic pulse in response to receiving the scintillatinglight. In an embodiment, scintillating light from the scintillatorpasses through the optical coupler 140 to the SiPMs 152. The electronicpulse is an example of an analog signal. The method can further includetransmitting the signal from the photosensor to the analyzer, at block1220. The electronic pulse from the SiPMs 152 in FIG. 1 can be receivedby the amplifier 1102 and amplified to produce an amplified signal.

If needed or desired, the method can include converting the analogsignal to a digital signal, at block 1232. In particular, the amplifiedsignal can be converted from an analog signal to a digital signal at ADC1104. The conversion of the signal is optional, as the analyzer mayperform analysis using an analog signal. The signal, whether analog ordigital, can be received by the processor 1122.

The method can further include analyzing the signal in accordance withan existing function, at block 1234. The function can include any of thepreviously described function with respect to the control module 1100.The analysis can be used to determine a characteristic of the radiationabsorbed by the scintillator 120. The analysis can be performed by theprocessor 1122 in conjunction with instructions that can be stored inmemory 1126, performed by the FPGA 1124, or a combination of theprocessor 1122 and FPGA 1124.

The method can also include changing the functionality of the radiationdetection apparatus 100, at block 1100. Changing the functionality caninclude deactivating a function or activating a function. For example,the existing function may be deactivated, a new function can be added,or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the radiationdetection apparatus 100 may have been sold with many functions thatinclude a particular function that can be used for a trial period. If afee is not paid and time has expired, some of the functions can bedeactivated. In another particular embodiment, the radiation detectionapparatus 100 can provide at least one function but does not includeanother function. At a later time, the user can pay an activation fee,and the other function may then be activated. An advantage of the FPGA1124 is that it can be erased and information corresponding to afunction can be written into the FPGA 1124. Alternatively, a file withinstructions corresponding to a particular function can be deleted fromthe memory 1126, and a new file with instructions corresponding toanother function can be stored in the memory 1126. In one embodiment,instructions can be sent to the control module 1100 on the interfaceboard 172 through the cable 494 to turn activate or deactivate functionsof the radiation detection apparatus 100. In another embodiment, theinterface board 172 may be removed and replaced with a differentinterface board 172 containing different functions. Thus, functionalityof the radiation detection apparatus 100 can be changed without removingthe analyzer from the housing 110. This advantage can be helpfulparticularly when the housing 110 is a sealed housing because the sealdoes not have to be broken and the housing resealed.

More radiation may be absorbed by the scintillator 120 that emitsscintillating light that is received by the photosensor that generatesanother electronic pulse. The method can include analyzing anothersignal in accordance with another function, at block 1238. Theelectronic pulse can be processed similar to the manner as previouslydescribed to provide the other signal. This other signal can be analyzedby the processor 1122, the FPGA 1124, or both. The function can be anyof the functions as previously described to determine a characteristicof the radiation. The analysis can be for a new function that hasrecently been added since the prior analysis in block 1234.

Embodiments of the radiation detection apparatus having thesemiconductor-based photomultiplier can allow for a significantlysmaller size as compared to a radiation detection apparatus with aphotomultiplier tube (“PMT”). FIG. 13 includes side views of twodifferent radiation detection apparatus: a PMT detector that includes aPMT, and a SiPM detector that includes semiconductor-basedphotomultipliers, and SiPMs in a particular embodiment. For eachdetector illustrated, the scintillator, the photosensor, the analyzerand the interface board are oriented along a length of the housing. Forthe SiPM detector, the combination of the photosensor, the analyzer andthe interface board makes up at most 50%, at most 40%, or at most 25% ofthe length of the housing. For the PMT, the combination of thephotosensor, the analyzer and the interface board makes up over 65% ofthe length of the housing.

Further, PMTs require substantially more voltage thansemiconductor-based photomultipliers. Thus, an analyzer is not locatedin the PMT detector. Further, the power required for the PMT may exceedthe voltage that the interface board 172 supports. Thus, the PMTdetector is not only larger, but it also does not provide thefunctionality as previously described with respect to the radiationdetector apparatuses previously described. Still further, the radiationdetector apparatuses described herein is more rugged and can withstandmore abuse or demanding conditions are compared to the PMT detector.

Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of thoseaspects and embodiments are described below. After reading thisspecification, skilled artisans will appreciate that those aspects andembodiments are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of thepresent invention. Embodiments may be in accordance with any one or moreof the embodiments as listed below.

Embodiment 1

A radiation detection apparatus comprising: a scintillator to emitscintillating light in response to absorbing radiation; a photosensor togenerate an electronic pulse in response to receiving the scintillatinglight; an analyzer to determine a characteristic of the radiation; and ahousing that contains the scintillator, the photosensor, and theanalyzer, wherein the radiation detection apparatus to is configured toallow functionality be changed without removing the analyzer from thehousing.

Embodiment 2

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 1, wherein thefunctionality includes counting radiation events, discriminating betweendifferent types of radiation, identification of an isotope correspondingto the radiation, provide gain compensation for the photosensor, provideinformation regarding adjustment for light output of the scintillator asa function of temperature, or any combination thereof.

Embodiment 3

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 1 or 2, furthercomprising an interface board coupled to the photosensor and theanalyzer.

Embodiment 4

A method of using radiation detection apparatus comprising: providinghousing containing a scintillator, a photosensor, and an analyzer,wherein: the scintillator is configured to emit scintillating light inresponse to absorbing radiation; the photosensor is configured togenerate an electronic pulse in response to receiving the scintillatinglight; the analyzer is configured to determine a characteristic of theradiation; and changing functionality of the radiation detectionapparatus without removing the analyzer from the housing.

Embodiment 5

The method of Embodiment 4, changing functionality comprises toactivating or deactivating a function including counting radiationevents, discriminating between different types of radiation,identification of an isotope corresponding to the radiation, providegain compensation for the photosensor, provide information regardingadjustment for light output of the scintillator as a function oftemperature, or any combination thereof.

Embodiment 6

The method of Embodiment 4 or 5, further comprising analyzing a signalcorresponding to the radiation.

Embodiment 7

The method of Embodiment 6, wherein analyzing the signal in accordancewith a function after changing the functionality, wherein changing thefunctionality is performed to activate the function.

Embodiment 8

The method of Embodiment 6, further comprising analyzing the signalcorresponding to the radiation in accordance with a function beforechanging the functionality, wherein changing the functionality isperformed to deactivate the function.

Embodiment 9

The method of any one of Embodiments 4 to 8, wherein providing thehousing comprising providing a sealed housing.

Embodiment 10

The method of Embodiment 9, wherein changing the functionality isperformed without breaking a seal of the sealed housing.

Embodiment 11

The method of any one of Embodiments 3 to 10, further comprisingemitting scintillating light from the scintillator in response toabsorbing radiation, and transmitting a signal from the photosensor tothe analyzer.

Embodiment 12

The method of Embodiment 11, wherein the signal from the photosensor isan analog signal.

Embodiment 13

The method of Embodiment 12, further comprising converting the analogsignal to a digital signal.

Embodiment 14

The method of any one of Embodiments 4 to 13, further comprisingconnecting an external connector to the radiation detection apparatus.

Embodiment 15

The method of Embodiment 14, wherein connecting an external connectorcomprises connecting a coaxial cable connector, a Universal Serial Busconnector, a surface mount technology connector to the radiationdetection apparatus.

Embodiment 16

The method of Embodiment 14 or 15, wherein connecting an externalconnector comprising connecting an external connector to provide an IPCode rating of IP67, wherein the IP Code is InternationalElectrotechnical Commission standard 60529, Edition 2.2 (2013).

Embodiment 17

The method of any one of Embodiments 4 to 16, wherein providing ahousing comprises providing a housing further comprising an interfaceboard coupled to the photosensor and the analyzer.

Embodiment 18

The method of Embodiment 17, further comprising transmitting power froman external source to the photosensor via the interface board.

Embodiment 19

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of any one ofEmbodiments 1 or 18, wherein the analyzer includes a multichannelanalyzer.

Embodiment 20

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of any one ofEmbodiments 1 to 19, wherein the interface board further includes auniversal asynchronous receiver/transmitter.

Embodiment 21

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of any one ofEmbodiments 1 to 14 and 17 to 20, wherein the housing further comprisesan external connector including a coaxial cable connector, a UniversalSerial Bus connector, or a surface mount technology connector.

Embodiment 22

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of Embodiment 21,wherein the external connector allows for an IP Code rating of IP67,wherein the IP Code is International Electrotechnical Commissionstandard 60529, Edition 2.2 (2013).

Embodiment 23

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of any one ofEmbodiments 3 and 17 to 22, wherein the interface board is furtherconfigured to provide power to the photosensor.

Embodiment 24

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of any one ofEmbodiments 1 to 23, wherein the photosensor is a semiconductor-basedphotomultiplier.

Embodiment 25

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of Embodiment 24,wherein the semiconductor-based photomultiplier is a SiPM.

Embodiment 26

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of Embodiment 24,wherein the semiconductor-based photomultiplier is an avalanchephotodiode.

Embodiment 27

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of any one ofEmbodiments 3 and 17 to 26, wherein the photosensor is mounted to awiring board disposed between the scintillator and the interface board.

Embodiment 28

The radiation detection apparatus or the method of any one ofEmbodiments 3 and 17 to 27, wherein the scintillator, the photosensor,the analyzer and the interface board are oriented along a length of thehousing, wherein a combination of the photosensor, the analyzer and theinterface board makes up at most 50%, at most 40%, or at most 25% of thelength of the housing.

Embodiment 29

A radiation detection apparatus comprising: a housing, a scintillator toemit scintillating light in response to absorbing radiation, one or moresilicon photomultipliers to generate an electronic pulse in response toreceiving the scintillating light, and an optical coupler, wherein theoptical coupler creates a seal to isolate the scintillator, wherein thehousing contains the scintillator, the one or more siliconphotomultipliers, and the optical coupler, and wherein the number of oneor more silicon photomultipliers can be changed without breaking theseal.

Embodiment 30

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 29, wherein the numberof one or more silicon photomultipliers increases.

Embodiment 31

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 29, wherein the numberof one or more silicon photomultipliers decreases.

Embodiment 32

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 29, wherein thefunctionality of the radiation detection apparatus can be changeswithout breaking the seal.

Embodiment 33

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 29, wherein the one ormore silicon photomultipliers are adjacent the optical coupler.

Embodiment 34

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 29, wherein the one ormore silicon photomultipliers are optically coupled to the scintillator.

Embodiment 35

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 29, wherein the opticalcoupler comprises silica.

Embodiment 36

The radiation detection apparatus of Embodiment 29, wherein the opticalcoupler creates a seal with the housing to isolate the scintillator.

Embodiment 37

A method of using radiation detection apparatus comprising: providinghousing containing a scintillator, a photosensor, and an opticalcoupler, wherein: the scintillator is configured to emit scintillatinglight in response to absorbing radiation; the photosensor is configuredto generate an electronic pulse in response to receiving thescintillating light; the optical coupler creates a seal to isolate thescintillator; and changing functionality of the radiation detectionapparatus without breaking the seal.

Embodiment 38

The method of Embodiment 37, changing functionality comprises changingthe number of photosensors.

Embodiment 39

The method of Embodiment 37, wherein the photosensor is asemiconductor-based photomultiplier.

Embodiment 40

The method of Embodiment 39, wherein the semiconductor-basedphotomultiplier comprises one or more silicon photomultipliers.

Embodiment 41

The method of Embodiment 37, further comprising emitting scintillatinglight from the scintillator in response to absorbing radiation.

Embodiment 42

The method of Embodiment 37, wherein the optical coupler creates a sealwith the housing to isolate the scintillator.

Note that not all of the activities described above in the generaldescription or the examples are required, that a portion of a specificactivity may not be required, and that one or more further activitiesmay be performed in addition to those described. Still further, theorder in which activities are listed is not necessarily the order inwhich they are performed.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature of any or all the claims.

The specification and illustrations of the embodiments described hereinare intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of thevarious embodiments. The specification and illustrations are notintended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive description of allof the elements and features of apparatus and apparatuses that use thestructures or methods described herein. Separate embodiments may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment, and conversely, variousfeatures that are, for brevity, described in the context of a singleembodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination.Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and everyvalue within that range. Many other embodiments may be apparent toskilled artisans only after reading this specification. Otherembodiments may be used and derived from the disclosure, such that astructural substitution, logical substitution, or another change may bemade without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather thanrestrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radiation detection apparatus comprising: a housing; a scintillator to emit scintillating light in response to absorbing radiation; one or more silicon photomultipliers to generate an electronic pulse in response to receiving the scintillating light; and an optical coupler, wherein the optical coupler creates a seal to isolate the scintillator, wherein the housing contains the scintillator, the one or more silicon photomultipliers, and the optical coupler, and wherein the number of one or more silicon photomultipliers is configured to be changed while maintaining the seal that isolates the scintillator.
 2. The radiation detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of one or more silicon photomultipliers is configured to increase.
 3. The radiation detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of one or more silicon photomultipliers is configured to decrease.
 4. The radiation detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the functionality of the radiation detection apparatus is configured to change without breaking the seal.
 5. The radiation detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more silicon photomultipliers are adjacent the optical coupler.
 6. The radiation detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more silicon photomultipliers are optically coupled to the scintillator.
 7. The radiation detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical coupler comprises silica.
 8. The radiation detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical coupler creates a seal with the housing to isolate the scintillator.
 9. The radiation detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is hermetically sealed.
 10. A method of using radiation detection apparatus comprising: providing housing containing a scintillator, a photosensor, and an optical coupler, wherein: the scintillator is configured to emit scintillating light in response to absorbing radiation; the photosensor is configured to generate an electronic pulse in response to receiving the scintillating light; the optical coupler creates a seal to isolate the scintillator; and changing functionality of the radiation detection apparatus while maintaining the seal.
 11. The method of claim 10, changing functionality comprises changing the number of photosensors.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the photosensor is a semiconductor-based photomultiplier.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the semiconductor-based photomultiplier comprises one or more silicon photomultipliers.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: emitting scintillating light from the scintillator in response to absorbing radiation. 